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World War 1 begins
World war 1 started in 1914 when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire fought against Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Japan, and the United States.
After the Archduke was killed, Austria-Hungary was convinced that the Serbian government was in charge. They knew they were weak, so on July 28th, they declared war and within the week, they all lined up and World War 1 started. -
Women in World War 1
Since many men had left to fight, someone had to take over the heavy lifting jobs. Women started working in dangerous weapon factories and farms, offices, shops and transports. The men were terrified of what would happen, but the women got the job done. Without the women, the war would not have been won. -
Children during WW1
Believe it or not, there was even a place for children during the war. Men were fighting and women kept the country going, someone had to do the little jobs. Children would deliver messages, deliver food, grow food and even make small medical kits. When we became desperate for more troops, then young boys had to go to war, there was evidence of a 12 year old boy going to war. -
Animals during World War 1
Hawks were taught to kill any pigeons that may have been carrying something and even goldfish helped. After they would use gas masks, they would clean them and if they then placed them in water with goldfish and they died, then the mask still had gas residue on it.
Horses, donkeys, mules, and camels carried food, water, ammunition, and other supplies. Dogs and pigeons carried messages. The Canaries were used to detect gas and cats chased rats in trenches. -
Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas, some German and British soldiers agreed to stop fighting and they sang played soccer and talked all day together German soldiers came up from their trenches and walked across no man's land yelling out Merry Christmas. They thought it was a trick at first, but when they saw that the Germans were unarmed, they knew that it was real.
They shared presents of cigarettes and pudding. They sang and carols and songs. They even played a fun game of soccer at the end. -
Help Wanted
During the war, they wanted and needed every able body to help fight. Even in America they would advertise and tell people they needed them individually. -
Chemical Weapons in WW1
Poison gas was a war crime, but tear gas wasn’t. Germans were the first to use gases when they used a chlorine gas. It also later developed mustard gas. Britain was shocked that they made their own, but they needed a way to retaliate. -
Letter to Myrtle
Talking about how he thinks he will be done by the summer.
Girlfriend hadn’t sent anything so he thought that she forgot about him. -
Letter to Myrtle
Is back in the states with family and just wants to see her. He said that he would do anything to see her all of the time and not forget about him. He was homesick from Virginia, but would rather be wherever she is. “Home is where you are.” -
United States enters WW1
Congress authorizes war against Germany. We enter with France and Britain. -
Postcard from Henry
Sent postcard to show where he went and just a little reminder to her. Henry missed Myrtle so much and that is all he thought about in her free time. He sent her a postcard everywhere he went, no matter the circumstances. -
Letter to Myrtle
He couldn’t write a good letter anymore because he felt like he was writing all stupid things.
Can’t find time to write.
Hates himself for not writing or sending something and blamed himself for any concern that he may cause to her. -
Letter to Myrtle
Henry shares his letters from Myrtle and it makes everyone else feel at home.
Talks about how he misses her more than ever and he calls her “little girl”. It was his last letter that he sent before he came home. -
Armistice Day
11th hour, 11th day, 11th month in 1918 the war officially ended. We still celebrate it to this day with poppies to remember those who fought and died. Poppies were the only thing that grew on the bloody battlefields of western Europe. -
Treaty of Versailles
The war offically ended on November 11, 1918 but hadn't made an agreement yet. Germany and the allied forces called the war and all signed the treaty. Germany had to accept full responsibility for the war and had to give up territory and limit the size of their military.
